Devon put in Tier Three ‘to keep out the revellers’
TORBAY’S MP says Devon found itself in Tier Three of the latest national coronavirus restrictions to protect it from an influx of New Year revellers.
Kevin Foster has revealed that the bay had been part of the national discussions on which tiers should be imposed in various parts of the country.
And it was felt that, although the bay’s Covid-19 case numbers are low, allowing it to remain in Tier Two while areas around it faced tighter lockdowns would leave it vulnerable.
In his latest online update for constituents, he wrote: “Torbay was again a specific discussion point during key meetings, as our low rates compared to others, even very rural locations, are something of a national point of interest. It is worth saying this position is not one achieved purely by luck or chance. The low infection rates are a tribute to the hard work of the whole community here in the bay, especially our NHS and Social Care teams, and many businesses locally.
“Yet given the need to increase areas including Bristol, Plymouth and Exeter to Tier Three and not too far away Somerset County to Tier Four, it was sadly all too obvious what would happen if Torbay and the South Hams alone remained in Tier Two, with restaurants and hotels open, especially over the New Year and the Bank Holiday weekend which followed,” Mr Foster added.